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CHRISTMAS INTERIORS OOOH, PLEASE YOURSELF . . .
As the late, and some would say great – probably me included – Frankie Howard used to say. In his case, it was usually after a joke that went down like a Siamese at Crufts, but in this case I refer to all things Christmassy.
As regular readers will know, I’m always a little uneasy about writing the December editorial. Whilst I love to regale you about all that’s fabulous and new in the world of interior design throughout the year, and am more than happy to give you my take on what makes a good room good, I find it difficult to pontificate about the Christmas interior.
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This is not only because there are sooooo many ways to make your home fabulous at Christmas, nor that whatever you decide is just what “Chez Vous” needs to top off Christmas 2019 is probably exactly the right thing for you, but to be perfectly frank I’d feel a bit of a hypocrite.
Let me explain. Every year we at Biddell Towers, as it’s laughably referred to by our musical theatre buddies, embark upon an expedition the like of which Bear Grylls would be proud.
One Sunday afternoon around the beginning of December off we trot to one or more garden centres, home stores and/or DIY sheds in search of the perfect addition to the Christmas house. Sometimes it’s something as simple as a few tree decorations, a garland or two for the stairs, or a runner for the Christmas table.
A couple of years ago it came down to a choice between a five-foot-high singing Santa, an equally tall lantern that sprayed fake snow and also played tunes, and a hanging model of a bi-plane piloted by Rudolph himself singing “Santa Claus is coming to town”. And what did I do? Yes, you’ve guessed it . . . I bought them all !!!!!
This year we were at the Boldmere Christmas festival, freezing cold and soaking wet, when I noticed an outdoor tree, emblazoned with built in lights, being sold by one of our fabulous local traders. “That would look amazing in our front garden !!!” I said to my wife. “But you already put lights along the fence, and we do now have 4 Christmas trees” she helpfully reminded me. A good point, well made – however I bought it anyway.
It’s not that good taste is totally to be abandoned at Christmas (although some would disagree in the above-mentioned cases), but the rules of good interior design can certainly be relaxed.
So . . . real or false, themed or random, uncluttered or stuffed to breaking point?
I’m talking of course about the tree, and it really is up to you. There is no right or wrong answer. For many years now I’ve always had a real tree, and am happy to put up with the inconvenience of a few dropped needles in exchange for that wonderful smell of pine when you enter the room each morning.
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HOME S & INTERIORS JOHN BIDDE L L - INT ERIORS EXPER T
John Biddell - John Charles Interiors
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